Richmond Rovers snap 44-year drought

“That Saturday night, everyone came down to the club. We felt famous!”

That’s the sentiment of Richmond Rovers’ fullback Beau Cordtz, speaking of their packed clubrooms following their historic victory at the weekend.

The Rovers beat the Papakura Sea Eagles in the Fox Memorial Premiership grand final at the 15-14 at Go Media Mt Smart Stadium. Cordzt sealed the win with a golden point drop-goal, ending the clubs 44-year championship drought.

Captain of Richmond Casey Tomai said they have been working towards winning the premiership, after their loss in last year's grand final.

“There was definitely pressure, 44 years is a long time. Not only that, we made the grand final last year and lost it, so that added to the pressure as well.

“You obviously got so many proud Richmond supporters that really wanted this win, and when that whistle blew we were obviously really happy.”

The Rovers were rich in support in the torrential conditions, as the stadium were packed out with dedicated friends, family and supporters.

Fullback and man of the match Beau Cordtz said the conditions worked towards Richmonds’ favour against a side who were much bigger in the forwards.

“I think we had to play to our strengths, and our way is not crash and bang, it’s about moving the middles around, moving the ball, kicking early and finding corners.

“The weather helped a little bit, big boys couldn’t run over many players because the ball was popping out every second tackle bro.

“It was stop start, hard to get momentum at the start. I think they wanted to try and break us down, but we combatted that with our kicking and our smaller middles moving around.”

Supporters in the rain at Go Media Stadium. Photo/Royce Sports Promo.

Richmond kept Papkura scoreless for most of the game, until a send off in the second-half allowed the Eagles to sneak back into the match.

“We got out to a 14-nil lead, and I think with 20 minutes to go we got a sin bin. And I knew because the week before we got a sin-bin and Pt Chev started coming back.” said Tomai.

“I knew when there was a sin bin on Saturday, Kura was gonna get their tails up and they did man they were strong. They had all the momentum and we just had to hang on.”

The rain was belting down onto the two sides as the scores were locked, Richmond found themselves 10 meters out from the Papakura line with two minutes to go.

After a few attempts at a field goal were denied, a knock on from Papakura afford Richmond a scrum close to the line.

Cordz slotted the field goal into the stadium's south stand, sealing a historic win.

“I looked for him (Tomai) straight away. I knew how much it meant to this dude since he was in nappies, his dad and his mum have (always) been at the club.

“I promised this guy when I came back to Australia, I would get him a Fox. When I slotted that field goal and I looked for him, he came running to me.

“I was screaming in his ear and I said ‘bro I promised you this’. All the boys were jumping on us, and he said all he could hear was what I said to him.

“I’m stoked for this dude to be the first captain in 44 years to get a Fox.”

Supporters and loved ones flocked to Grey Lynn park on the evening of the win, and captain Tomai said it was good to get around the community.

“We felt famous! Photos, enjoying it getting photos with everyone, even with guys I hadn’t met before. I told my team too that it’s been so long boys, we gotta get around the people.

“They’re gonna want to shout you drinks, have photos, talk to you, so just soak it up and enjoy it with the Richmond community.”

Cordtz said there were a number of old boys at the club who joined in the celebration.

“There were old boys everywhere! That’s what it’s about, those guys laid the foundation of the club. That’s the boys who brought the Pacific to the club.

“When we walked into the club, he (Tomai) carried the shield in with James Gavet. You shoulda heard the roar. It was overwhelming to see the amount of support we had.”

Tomai said the Richmond Rovers community around the world shared huge support for the team.

“It’s huge, you had people from Australia who were born and bred in Grey Lynn, Richmond messaging through. Even some guys from the UK messaging as well.

“Although there’s a lot of people who have moved from that area, their hearts are still with Richmond, their hearts are still with Grey Lynn.

“It’s really special to see them all reach out and be so proud.”